Juneau mayor suggests Egan to bridge gap

Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho is pushing for former Mayor Dennis Egan to be appointed to represent the capital city in the Alaska Senate, a move that has won quick - and bipartisan - support from some influential legislators.

Leaders of the Juneau Democratic Party, who had balked at earlier Palin appointees, said Egan was acceptable to them.

"The officers of the Greater Juneau Democrats concur with Mayor Botelho that Dennis Egan is a capable person for the job," said Kim Metcalfe, Juneau Democratic chair.

As the son of Bill Egan, the president of the state's Constitutional Convention and its first governor, Dennis Egan has one of the best-known names in both Juneau and Alaska politics.

Before becoming governor, Bill Egan lived in Valdez, where Rep. John Harris, R-Valdez, knew him and his family. He endorsed Dennis Egan as well.

Harris said their families' connections went back 80 years. He said an appointment of Dennis Egan would be a golden opportunity for the governor and Democrats to bring a man from a storied Alaska family to the Senate.

"Gov. Bill Egan was a strong advocate for all Alaskans, be they rural or urban, Democrat or Republican. He never let a party label get in the way of what is right for Alaska. His son, Dennis, has the same attributes as his father," Harris said.

The Senate's nine remaining Democrats must confirm any Palin appointment. They had earlier rejected Tim Grussendorf, who switched his voter registration to Democrat to be eligible for the appointment, and Joe Nelson, a little-known college administrator.

Palin, in turn, rejected Democratic suggestions, including Kerttula and other well-known local Democrats.

Egan said he had earlier declined consideration because he supported Kerttula.

"I thought Beth Kerttula was the natural choice," he said.

Egan is a longtime Alaska broadcaster, though he recently sold his Juneau radio stations.

"I'm retired, sort of," he said.

Egan continues to host the popular "Problem Corner" call-in show weekday mornings.

Palin spokesperson Sharon Leighow said she had not yet heard Palin's reaction to the suggestion.